Essays on Physiognomy; for the Promotion of the Knowledge and the Love of Mankind Volume 2

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1804 edition. Excerpt: ...according to its primitive nature. Species shall no more be confounded than individuals. Therefore, as an individual's excellence of mind and physiognomy are the favour and the gift of God, so are they equally the favour and the gift of God when bestowed upon nations, who, by residing in a more fortunate climate, have, for that reason, greater excellence of understanding and of form. Yet ought not the lowest of the human race to be discouraged. They are the children of one common father, and their brother is the first bora of the brethren. He shall collect to himself from all nations, tongues and people, those who shall inherit his kingdom. VI. RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN. Fit quoque, at interdum similes existere avorum Possint, et referant proavorum ssepe figuras; Propterea, quia multimodis primordia multis Mixta suo celant in corpore saepe parentes, Quae patribus patres tradunt a stirpe profecta; Inde Venus varias producit scite figuras, Majorumque refert vultus, vocesque, comasque; Quandoquidem nihilo magis hscc de semine certo Fiunt quam facies et corpora membraque nobis. LUCRETIUS..A. The resemblance between parents and children is very commonly remarkable. Family physiognomy is as undeniable as national. To doubt this is to doubt what is self-evident; to wish to interpret it is to wish to explore the inexplicable secret of exist ence. Striking and frequent as the resemblance between parents and children is, yet have the relations between the characters and countenances of families never been enquired into. No one has, to my knowledge, made any regular observations on this subject. I must also confess that I have, myself, made but few, with that circumstantial attention which is necessary. All I have to remark is what...